Breeana Laughlin first connected with AUIP when she took part in the New Zealand and Sydney Sustainable Business program as a graduate student at the University of Montana in 2011. Breeana served as a student blogger for this program. In her first blogshe shared her excitement of venturing overseas for the first time and turning 30 while in New Zealand.

Breeana lives it up during a dinner out with fellow study abroad buddies in Sydney, Australia.

Eight months on and Breeana just can’t get enough of New Zealand. After completing her study abroad program, she joined us at the AUIP office in Christchurch spending three months undertaking an internship that she credited toward her master’s degree in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism. After heading home for a few weeks to submit her thesis, Breeana headed back to Christchurch on a one- year working holiday.

Not fazed by earthquake aftershocks or the lack of decent dill pickles (apparently New Zealand does not do these well!), Breeana immersed herself in the local community making friends and exploring the area. A snowboarding enthusiast, Breeana managed to score herself a job working for Methven Heliski in Canterbury and is now settled in for the winter. Responsible for the running of Methven’s office, Breeana is able to make the most of the nearby slopes in her free time.

While her family in the States enjoys their summer season, Breeana (right) shreds the mountains with her friends at Mt. Hutt in New Zealand.

“My AUIP study abroad session gave me a one-of-a-kind insight into New Zealand that has made my entire travel experience more meaningful,” Breeana says. “Every student who gets the opportunity to travel with AUIP should dive into it with everything they have – studying abroad is not only life changing as it happens, it can also open up incredible opportunities for the future.”